Le passé du passé

Abstract

Arising from the author's research on the usage of passé simple (PS) and passé composé (PC), this paper outlines a study of the role of passé antérieur (PA), plus-que-parfait (PQP) and passé surcomposé (PSC) respectively, and their positions in the current tense system vis-à-vis other forms. Using the technique of native speaker testing, a pattern of distribution emerges, and we can ask ourselves to what extent these forms fulfil the same or different functions, and what repercussions the shift in usage of PS, PC and Imparfait (I) has had on the use of PA, PQP and PSC.